The pros and cons of braces vs. veneers

The pros and cons of braces vs. veneers

Do your crooked, gapped or protruding teeth make you feel self-conscious when you smile? Are they uncomfortable when you eat because food always gets stuck between them? Have you finally decided this is the year you get them straightened, but you aren’t sure whether to get braces or veneers? It can be hard to understand the braces vs. veneers debate, so here are a few of the pros and cons of each.

Braces are a permanent solution

Pros: Metal braces used to be the only way to get straighter teeth. They often lead to unpleasant nicknames, and they were also uncomfortable to wear. This is no longer true. Today’s options include invisible, clear ceramic or lingual braces, as well as a more modern and comfortable version of metal braces.

With so many options, most people are able to find one they can live with. Some braces are even removable, which makes eating and cleaning your teeth a great deal easier. The best advantage, however, is that braces are a permanent solution for straightening teeth.

Cons: The biggest disadvantage of braces is that it is an investment of your time. Once the initial straightening is done, it is also necessary to continue wearing a retainer to keep your teeth from moving back to their original position.

Veneers are fast and can also address color and shape issues

Pros: Getting a beautiful smile faster is the biggest reason people choose veneers over braces. There is no discomfort or worrying about whether anyone notices your braces. The other aesthetic reason for choosing veneers is that discolored teeth, chipped teeth and unsightly gaps can be quickly covered up. Placing veneers over weaker teeth also provides better protection for the natural teeth underneath.

Cons: he downside of veneers is that they are expensive, they are not permanent, they sometimes get chipped and they wear away over time. Most veneers need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years. Since veneers are covering up, rather than actually straightening teeth, they are not always the best solution. This is particularly true if teeth are very close together.

Whats the best for your smile?

When you’re considering the best way to improve your smile or fix any dental issues you may have, it’s often best to look at the bigger picture first.

To help you determine what you like and don’t like about your smile, as well as help you include any potential dental issues in your smile improvement plan, I’ve created a smile makeover questionnaire. Fill it out and I’ll reply with a free, no obligations recomendation to help you decide what dental treatment will help you the best.

A practicing dentist since 1982, Dr. Gary Imm, provides advanced cosmetic dentistry, including smile makeovers, sedation, implant and TMJ services. He is committed to progressive, extraordinary care for his guests. All Smiles Dental Care trains at least 300 hours each year at such prestigious centers as the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dentistry. (LVI)